2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Harborough 5

Harborough, Leicestershire

Tuesday 16th June 2009

LEICESTERSHIRE athletes completed a fine county double success at the Harborough 5 mile as series leader and eight-time champion Nicki Nealon (Huncote Harriers) combined with Gordon Lee (Leicester Coritanian AC) claimed top individual victories in the penultimate leg of the 2009 East Midlands Road-Running Grand Prix.

The inform Nicki Nealon, winner of the event twelve months ago, went into the race requiring just a top two finish in the final fixtures to claim a remarkable ninth overall series title and subsequently produced a runaway victory to win her fourth race of the campaign crossing the finish line in a time of 29mins 39secs to virtually rubber-stamp her successful title defence.

The 41-year-old British Masters international having won the Midlands F40 5,000m track gold medal in Solihull on Saturday (13th June) finished clear of Coventry Godiva Harrier Myshola Kirkham (30:04) by a significant margin of 25 seconds with Kirsty Gallagher (Wootton) taking third in 30:10.

In the Men’s race Gordon Lee continued his run of good form, having won the Swithland 10km earlier this month in very heavy rain the 42-year-old finished in 25:20 one minute clear of Coventry’s Ryan McKinlay to improve on his runners-up position last year to reigning champion Nigel Stirk to secure his second victory of the series having won at Corby in May.

Full results are available on the following link:
http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpharboroughall.htm

The final next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Milton Keynes 10km on Tuesday 30th June - start time 7.45pm.

Wednesday 17th June 2009

THE Leicestershire Road Running League this year celebrates it’s 25th anniversary - below is listed the role of honour of all of the individual title winners over the past quarter of a century of racing on the county roads.

NB: The role of honour lists includes the club that the athlete represented at the time of their title victory, and the maiden name if applicable of the female athlete.
LRRL – Role of Honour
Men
Summer League
Steve Needs (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles -1985, 1989
Joey Masterson (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles - 1986, 1991
Ashley Long (Coalville Harriers) 2 titles - 1993-1994
Richard Mason (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles - 1995, 2000
Ian Murday (Beaumont) 2 titles - 2002-2003
Mark Chamberlain (Roadhoggs) 2 titles - 2001, 2005
Mick Strange (OWLS) 1 title - 1984
John Offord (OWLS) 1 title - 1987
Tony Walker (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1988
Karl Orchard (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1990
Mike Necak (Nuneaton Harriers) 1 title - 1992
Chris Black (Charnwood) 1 title - 1996
Andy Hart (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1997
Derek Guess (Charnwood) 1 title - 1998
Mike Munday (Roadhoggs) 1 title - 1999
Simon Cotton (OWLS) 1 title - 2004
Ashley Sabin (Charnwood) 1 title - 2006
Tim Hartley (Barrow Runners) 1 title - 2007
Philip Chritchlow (Beaumont) 1 title - 2008
Winter League
Gordon Lee (Harborough/Nuneaton/OWLS) 7 titles 2007-2008, 2000, 2002-2005
Joey Masterson (Leicester Coritanians) 2 titles - 1986, 1995
Andy Tarry (Rutland) 2 titles - 1993-1994
Andy Hart (Stilton Striders) 2 titles - 1988-1989
Steve Needs (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1985
John Grindley (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1987
Karl Orchard (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1990
Ian Higginbotham (Beaumont) 1 title - 1991
Malcolm Elliott (Charnwood) 1 title - 1992
Simon Cotton (Beaumont) 1 title - 1996
Marcus Scotney (Beaumont) 1 title - 1997
Dave Pearce (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1998
Chris Talbot (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 1999
Ian Murday (Beaumont) 1 title - 2001
Tim Hartley (Barrow Runners) 1 title - 2006
Mark Couldwell (Charnwood) 1 title - 2009
Combined Titles:
Gordon Lee 7; Joey Masterson 4; Andy Hart 3; Ian Murday 3; Steve Needs 3; Ashley Long 2; Richard Mason 2; Andy Tarry 2; Tim Hartley 2; Simon Cotton 2; Karl Orchard 2; Mark Chamberlain 2; Mick Strange 1; John Offord 1; Tony Walker 1; Mike Necak 1; Chris Black 1; Derek Guess 1; Mike Munday 1; Ashley Sabin 1; Philip Chritchlow 1; John Grindley 1; Ian Higginbotham 1; Malcolm Elliott 1; Marcus Scotney 1; Dave Pearce 1; Chris Talbot 1; Mark Couldwell 1
Women
Summer League
Nicki Nealon (nee Lee) (Huncote Harriers) 9 titles - 1994,1997-2000-2002-2003, 2006-2007
Heather Jennings (Beaumont) 3 titles - 1986, 1988, 1990
Dawn Beanlands (OWLS) 1 title - 1984
Rosie Hill (Leicester Coritanians) 1 title - 1985
Julie Blythe (Beaumont) 1 title - 1987
Sue Clarke (Charnwood) 1 title - 1989
Sarah Horsey (Beaumont) 1 title - 1991
Christine Bird (Braunstone Town Joggers) 1 title - 1992
Jane Beardall (Nuneaton Harriers) 1 title - 1993
Julia Gilbert (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 1995
Sheila Whilde (West End) 1 title - 1996
Vicki Barber (Charnwood) 1 title - 2001
Sula Young (Beaumont) 1 title - 2004
Diane Lobaceskve (Beaumont) 1 title - 2005
Gemma Steel (Hermitage Harriers) 1 title - 2008
Winter League
Heather Jennings (Beaumont) 4 titles - 1987-1989, 2000
Jane Bishop (nee Baker) (Stilton Striders) 3 titles - 1985-1986, 1991
Nicola Clay (nee Misuda) (Stilton Striders) 3 titles - 1995-1996, 2007
Lesley Nutt (Shepshed) 2 titles - 1997, 1999
Kate Ramsey (Charnwood/Barrow Runners) 2 titles - 2005, 2009
Jackie Hall (Beaumont) 1 title - 1990
Sue Humphries (Charnwood) 1 title - 1992
Debbie Shaw (Stilton Striders) 1 title - 1993
Julia Gilbert (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 1994
Katherine Farquhar (Charnwood) 1 title - 1998
Claire Tomkinson (Charnwood) 1 title - 2001
Nicki Nealon (Huncote Harriers) 1 title - 2002
Sarah Terry (Barrow Runners) 1 title - 2003
Sula Young (Beaumont) 1 title - 2004
Zoe Fleming (Birstall) 1 title - 2006
Gemma Steel (Hermitage Harriers) 1 title – 2008
Combined Titles:
Nicki Nealon (nee Lee) 10; Heather Jennings 7; Nicola Clay (nee Misuda) 3; Jane Bishop (nee Baker) 3; Lesley Nutt 2; Kate Ramsey 2; Julia Gilbert 2; Sula Young 2; Gemma Steel 2; Dawn Beanlands 1; Rosie Hill 1; Julie Blythe 1; Sue Clarke 1; Sarah Horsey 1; Christine Bird 1; Jane Beardall 1; Sheila Whilde 1; Vicki Barber 1; Diane Lobaceskve 1; Sue Humphries 1; Debbie Shaw 1; Katherine Farquhar 1; Claire Tomkinson 1; Sarah Terry 1; Zoe Fleming 1; Jackie Hall 1

Special thanks to Nick Nealon of Huncote Harriers for his excellent work in compiling the lists.

Sunday 14th June 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI continued her fine run of race wins by taking victory in a new course-record time at the Long Eaton 5 mile event.

Krzywicki, the reigning British Masters cross-country champion representing Charnwood AC having won over the 10km distance in the monsoon conditions of Swithland the previous week, took full advantage of a warm, dry morning in the Derbyshire town of Long Eaton, and despite being troubled slightly by her foot that required surgery at the beginning of 2008, the 35-year-old produced a stellar performance to take victory in a time of 26mins 48secs breaking the course record of Claire Woolis (27:29) set last year to collect the £100 prize money and £50 bonus on offer.

Krzywicki finished in 6th place overall as Birchfield Harrier Amanda Wright-Smith claimed the runners-up position in 28:44 with Nicola Bamford (Notts AC) taking third in 28:54 and Stilton’s Nicola Clay fourth in 29:02.

In the Men’s race victory went to Andrew Ward (Clowne) as the 39-year-old, winner of the Golden Gates 10K at Chatsworth House last month, crossed the line in a time of 24:43 ahead of Notts AC’s Ian Boneham (25:36) with Loughborough University student Chris Rainsford (Heanor) taking 5th in 26:42.

Full results are available on the following link: www.longeatonrunningclub.com/results/lerc5-09.htm

Saturday 13th June 2009

NICKI NEALON was in fine form to win the Notts 10 mile race on Friday 5th June at Holme Pierrepont - the seventh time that the British Masters international has broken the hour-barrier.

Nealon crossed the line at the National Watersports Centre in a time of 59mins 58secs finishing 48 seconds ahead of Harriet Canter (Lincoln Wellington).

After going through halfway in 29:50 with Canter dictating and leading the way Nealon held her form before making her move at the water stop as Canter picked up a drink increasing the pace.

By the 7 mile marker Nealon’s lead had increased to 60 metres and the destination of the race title was decided. Emily Rose of Redhill finished third over four-minutes adrift.

In the Men’s race Matthew Blunden claimed victory for the hosts Notts AC in a time of 51:47 with the OWLS Mark Powell making a quick return to racing having pulled out of the Edinburgh Marathon the previous weekend, securing fourth place in 52:23.

Full results are available on the following link: www.cix.co.uk/%7Eneper/notts10/2009.htm

Swithland 10km

(Incorp. 2009 LRRL Summer League)

Swithland, Leicestershire

Sunday 7th June 2009

GORDON LEE and Tara Krzywicki defied the elements to survive thunder, lightning and torrential rain to win the Swithland 10km race held in near biblical conditions in Leicestershire.

In the race run over a new single lap revised course expanded this year to the 10km distance- an event that has in recent years been blessed with sweltering conditions - witnessed heavy downpours and driving rain on the roads surrounding the Swithland reservoir in the heart of the Charnwood Forest.

Leicester Coritanian Gordon Lee continued his fine winning streak by taking victory in the men's race by a margin of just seven seconds over the line clocking a time of 32mins 17secs.

Triathlete and reigning City of Leicester half-marathon champion Mark Cauldwell (Charnwood) pushed the early pace but had to settle for the runners-up position in 32:24 with Tipton Harrier Nigel Stirk claiming third place (32:57).

In the women's race British Masters cross-country champion Tara Krzywicki continued her rich vein of form as the 35-year-old representing Charnwood cruised to a fine solo victory crossing the line in a time of 33:44 to collect the Di Jackson Memorial Trophy.

Team mate Gemma Steel secured second place in 36:11 having come into the race suffering the affects of a heavy cold with Huncote's British Masters international Nicki Nealon taking third in 37.33 - this just 48 hours after winning the Notts 10 mile race at Holme Pierrepont.

Photo by Wallace Baxter.

Full results are available on the following link: www.birstallrc.org.uk/

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Weedon 10km

Weedon, Northamptonshire

Tuesday 2nd June 2009

NICKI NEALON produced a fine solo victory to close in on a remarkable ninth title securing her third race victory of the 2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series by winning the Weedon 10km.

On a very warm evening in Northamptonshire, Nealon, the 41-year-old World Masters half-marathon champion representing Huncote Harriers secured her third win of this season’s campaign finishing clear of Myshola Kirkham (Coventry) by a significant margin of 41 seconds to cross the line in a time of 38mins 40secs.

Kirkham claimed second in 39:21 with Eleanor Greenfield (Nuneaton) finished third in 39:58, Charnwood’s Laura Johnson was 6th in 41:19.

Nealon’s solid performance consolidates her position at the top of the overall standings as she now chases a remarkable ninth overall title success with three races remaining in the series beginning next Tuesday with the Banbury 5 mile (9th June) followed by the Harborough 5 mile (16th June) and the final race at Milton Keynes over 10km on June 30th.

With series leader Ashley Sabin (Notts AC) absent from this event - victory in the men’s race went to Coventry Godiva Harrier Matt Almond in a time of 32:29, this following an excellent runaway victory as the 27-year-old Northamptonshire county cross-country champion finished well over a minute clear of the field as Damian Carr (33:34) and Matt Lole (33:48) completed a clean sweep for the Coventry club.

Leicestershire’s Phil Chritchlow (Beaumont), the reigning Derby Runner Cross Country League champion, was fifth in 34:24.

Full results are available on the following link: http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpweedonall.htm The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Banbury 5 mile on Tuesday 9th June - start time 7.45pm.

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Corby 5

Corby, Northamptonshire

Wednesday 27th May 2009

GORDON LEE and Nicki Nealon completed an excellent double victory for Leicestershire athletes at the fourth round of the 2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series following convincing individual winning performances at the Corby 5 mile race.

In the Men’s race Lee was an impressive runaway winner of the race finishing well over half-a-minute ahead of the chasing field as the 41-year-old representing Leicester Coritanians simply out paced fellow county athlete and series leader Ashley Sabin (Notts AC) to cross the line in a time of 25mins 29secs.

Sabin increased his overall advantage in the series standings having won at the opening two races at Silverstone and Rugby combined with a runners-up place at Bedford the previous week by taking second in Corby in 26:06 to finish clear of Highgate Harrier Ryan McKinlay (26:31).

British Masters international Nicki Nealon, the eight-time series defending champion, as with Lee in the men’s race, also completed a comfortable solo victory coming home in a time of 30:05.

The 41-year-old running in the bright yellow vest of Huncote Harriers finished clear of Coventry Godiva Harrier Frances Briscoe (30:37) to successfully retain her race title of twelve months ago, a victory that now places her top of the overall standings having won at Rugby and secured second at Bedford she now looks to chase what would be a remarkable ninth championship win.

Four races now remain in the series beginning with the Weedon 10km next Tuesday (June 2nd), followed by the Banbury 5 mile (9th June), Harborough 5 mile (16th June) and the final race at Milton Keynes over 10km on June 30th.

There was a field of 318 runners that took part in the event, which reflected a good turnout of entrants considering that the race clashed with the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona which would have kept many away from entering, preferring to stay at home and watch the drama unfolding at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on television - the venue for the Italian leg of the IAAF AF Golden League athletics series.

Full results are available on the following link: http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpcorbyall.htm
The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Weedon 10km on Tuesday 2nd June - start time 7.45pm.

Monday 25th May 2009

MO FARAH smashed the British 10km record on route to winning the second edition of the BUPA London 10,000m with a superb breakaway performance.

The 26-year-old reigning European Indoor 3,000m title in March, having previously broken the national record ran away from Kenya's Samuel Kosgei on the scenic central London course in the perfect Bank Holiday weather to cross the line in a time of 27mins 50secs slicing five seconds from the previous national record set by Mark Scrutton over a quarter of a century ago in March 1984.

Kosgei was second in 28:03 after chasing Farah hard for the first 7km with the Ukraine's reigning European cross-country champion Sergey Lebid third in 28:36.

The ever-improving New Zealander Kim Smith was a runaway winner of the women's race with a time of 31:38 breaking her personal best by 40 seconds.

Sheffield’s former British steeplechase record-holder Hatti Dean finished in an impressive second place in 33:52, ahead of the Olympic marathon champion, Romania’s Constantina Dita.

"I knew I was in really good shape," said a delighted Farah, having recently returned from a high-altitude training camp in the French Pyrenees.

"I wanted to win and to get close to 28 minutes so to get the British record is a bonus, Kosgei did hang on for a long time but I knew I could out-kick him. I wanted a decent time so after 7km I thought I'd get clear of him."

Farah set off at the head of a field of over 9,000 running alongside his training partner Boniface Kiprop of Uganda, with Kosgei, Lebid, and former Olympic Marathon champion Stefano Baldini for company. Compatriots Phil Wicks and California-based Andrew Lemoncello were also well placed in the leading group.

Farah made the most of the excellent conditions – overcast skies and a light breeze – as he knocked out consistent 2:40–2:45 kilometre splits. By the 3km mark he led a line of four athletes clear of the rest, with Kosgei already on his heels. These two gradually pulled away from the chasers over the next 4km as the course snaked along the Thames, past St Paul's Cathedral, and through the City of London.

Farah made his move between 6 and 7km as the two leaders went past St Paul's for the second time. With a 2:40 split for the seventh kilometre the Brit finally pulled away from and headed back to the finish line in The Mall.

In the Women’s race Kim Smith ran virtually solo to victory as the 27–year–old Olympic finalist ran unchallenged to win by more than two minutes.

"I'm feeling pretty fit right now and that felt very comfortable," she said. "I wanted to make a good impression out there, I knew Constantina was feeling a little tired after the Olympics so I thought it's a good chance to beat someone who's an amazing runner."

Hatti Dean was also delighted with her runners-up position commenting: "I was hoping for a slightly quicker time," said Dean, who set her PB of 33:40 in Bristol earlier this month. "But I think it's important to look at who I beat. I know she is a marathon specialist but to beat an Olympic champion is really exciting."
Leading Results:
Men
1 Mo Farah GBR 27:50 
(British Record)
2 Samuel Kosgei KEN 28:03 

3 Sergiy Lebid UKR 28:36 

4 Phil Wicks GBR 28:55 

5 Boniface Kiprop UGA 29:00
Women
1 Kim Smith NZL 31:38 

2 Hatti Dean GBR 33:52 

3 Constantina Dita ROM 34:25

4 Emily Brichacek AUS 34:34 

5 Justina Heslop GBR 34:43

www.london10000.co.uk

Sunday 24th May 2009

MARK POWELL was in cruise control easing to an impressive victory at the 2009 Buxton Half Marathon.

Over the tough challenging course surrounding the Derbyshire town of Buxton, Powell, in preparation for the Edinburgh Marathon made light work of the warm conditions on the hottest day of the year so far in the United Kingdom as the 30-year-old representing the Leicester OWLS followed his victory over the distance at the recent Hinckley Dog & Hedgehog race earlier in the month by crossing the line at the Pavilion Garden Promenade to take the win in a time of 1hr 12mins 44secs ahead of Sheffield's Kevin Lilley (1:17:13).

Photo by Mick Hall www.mickhall-photos.com

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Bedford 6 Mile

Bedford

Tuesday 19th May 2009

SERIES leader Ashley Sabin had to settle for second place at the Bedford 6 mile - the third race in this season’s East Midland Road Running Grand Prix as home athlete Neilson Hall, winner of the Aviva Home Countries International & Celtic Universities Match back in March followed his 12th place finish at last Sunday’s BUPA Great Manchester 10km by racing away to victory by almost two minutes in a time of 29mins.

Sabin, representing Notts AC increased his lead at the top of the standings by securing second place in 31:06 ahead of Highgate Harrier Ryan McKinlay.

In the Women’s race Rebecca Newstead completed a double victory for Bedford & County with an equally impressive solo victory as the 19-year-old university student finished clear of team mate Emily Wallbank in a time of 34:57.

The highly talented Wallbank, at the age of just 15, claimed second in 35:17 with defending champion and winner at the previous round in Rugby, Huncote’s Nicki Nealon, third in 35:45.

Full results are available on the following link:
http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgpbedfordall.htm The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Corby 5 Mile on Tuesday 27th May - start time 7.45pm.

Wednesday 20th May 2009

LEICESTER Coritanian AC collected a set of silver medals for the second consecutive year at the 2009 British Masters Road Relays staged at Birmingham's Sutton Park on Saturday 16th May.

The team of Phil Makepeace (15:14), David Miles (16:01), Rob Sheen (15:59), Andy Hart (16:41), Gordon Lee (14:48), Derek Guess (16:01), Gareth Deacon (15:46) and Simon Cotton (15:20) finished runners-up by a margin of just 18 seconds over the line as Herne Hill Harriers claimed the title with defending champions Bristol & West taking the third podium place.

Leicester also finished in 18th place in the Four-Stage Men’s 35-39 category with the team of Dave Saunders (17:42), Craig Austin (17:42), Nev Francis (17:46) and Craig Sabin (16:59).

Full results: www.joelee.co.uk/2009/vets/vet091leg.html

Laura Johnson representing Charnwood AC, (pictured left) winner of the Grace Dieu Derby Runner Cross Country League race earlier this year, won the Long Clawson 10km Challenge Race on Sunday 10th May 2009. The 25-year-old in what she described as 'one of the hardest races she had ever run' clocked a time of 46:53 to take victory over the tough course in the Vale of Belvoir.

Full results: www.long-clawson.com/files/712/Clawson_10k_2009_results.pdf

Over the 26.2 mile distance the Julie Lamb (OWLS) set a new lifetime best at the 2009 Brathay Windermere Marathon in Ambleside on Sunday 17th May with a mark of 3hrs 10mins 59secs over a very hilly course in cold and blustery windy conditions to finish in third place overall and claim the first Vet40 prize.

Full results: www.brathay.org.uk/download/pdf/Brathay%20Marathon%20Results%202009.pdf

Hannah Eveleigh of Harborough AC won the 2009 Marie Curie Great Daffodil Run held at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire on Sunday 10th May with a time of 40:49.

Full results: www.chiptiming.co.uk/pdf/090510_marie_curie_10k.pdf

Photo by Jason Addison.

Tuesday 19th May 2009

TARA KRZYWICKI and Paul Richardson were on top form smashing the course records at the annual Wymeswold 5 mile race staged on the roads surrounding the picturesque Leicestershire village on Sunday 17th May.

In the event first staged in 1987 reigning British Masters cross-country champion Tara Krzywicki, fresh from spell of warm-weather training in southern Spain, continued her fine renaissance in the sport following foot surgery last year by completing a comprehensive victory crossing the line in a time of 27mins 30secs over the undulating course - to finish in fourth place overall.

Krzywicki, the 35-year-old former United Kingdom 3,000m Steeplechase record-holder representing Charnwood AC, having won the North Midlands Cross Country League title this year and subsequently adding the British Masters title to her CV in March on her debut in Ruthin, finished ahead of team mates Gemma Steel (29:06), the previous course record-holder and defending champion, and the Midlands Masters cross-country gold medalist Clare McKittrick (29:10).

Krzywicki, who lives in the neighbouring village of Rempstone reflecting on her victory said: “I felt really good over the tough course and to finish fourth overall was really pleasing - Gemma and Claire had a good fight for second and third places.”

In the Men’s race Paul Richardson ran a stellar race to completely obliterate the existing course record set by Loughborough’s Martin Lewis last year of 26:57 as the 27-year-old representing the OWLS finished two-minutes clear of British triathlete Joel Jameson in a time of 24:46.

Jameson, runner-up to Mark Couldwell in the Leicester City Half Marathon back in October and coached by Martin Yelling (husband of GB marathon runner Liz), claimed second in 26:45 ahead of Barrow’s Stuart Spencer (27:08).

Report by Mark Woolley.

Full results are available on the following link: www.wymeswold.com/Waddle%20Results%202009%20Provisional.pdf

Sunday 17th May 2009

GLOBAL superstar and reigning world marathon record-holder, Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie's, and Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot eased to fine individual victories despite the strong windy conditions at the BUPA Great Manchester 10km Run (IAAF Gold Label Road Race).

Gebrselassie aiming to attack Kenya’s Micah Kogo's world-record for the distance (27:21) set on the same Manchester course in 2007 was simply a class apart as the 36-year-old cruised home in a time of 27mins 39secs finishing eighteen seconds short of the global mark due to the strong headwinds that affected the course on the final stages into the city centre.

Ali Zaied of Libya and Ukraine's eight-time European cross-country champion Sergiy Lebid finished second and third respectively with times of 28:13 and 28:36.

Gebrselassie commented afterwards: "I expected bad weather here, but not this wind," he said. "In the second half of the race it made it very difficult, "I need to do 10k, 15k for speed and today tells me that my speed is okay, I wanted to run a world record but in the second half it proved too difficult."

Loughborough graduate Chris Thompson produced his best performance for quite sometime to finish as leading Brit in a superb sixth place in 28:45, followed by Californian-based steeplechaser Andrew Lemoncello in 7th with 29:18. Leicestershire’s Tim Hartley representing Notts AC finished in 34th place with 30:36.

The wind also blew any chance of Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot breaking Paula Radcliffe’s worlds-best for the distance of 30:38 achieved almost seven years ago in London's Richmond Park as the 25-year-old world 5,000m track silver medallist prevailed in a time of 32:01.

Cheruiyot finished ahead of Portugal's Sara Moreira, the European indoor 3,000m silver medalist (32:33) with the two-time former ING New York Marathon champion Jelena Prokopcuka of Latvia, third in 32:41.

Cheruiyot also reflected on the difficult conditions following her victory: "I broke clear after five kilometres and the race was not hard to win but the wind was so strong I couldn't achieve the time I wanted."

Kendal’s mountain-running specialist Rebecca Robinson was the first Brit across the line in 34:13 finishing just a second ahead of Charnwood’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships representative Jane Potter. Twin sister Juliet (Doyle) was also on top form in the class field as the Silverstone half-marathon champion clocked 34:22 to secure 11th place. Loughborough student Emily Pidgeon clocked 35:09 to finish in 16th place.

In the week that will see the city of Manchester stage the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup, Great Britain’s Brian Alldis, coached by the legendary Tanni Grey-Thompson, claimed victory in the wheelchair race in a time of 23:20, ahead of Tushar Patel (25:26) and Daniel Lucker (26:10). The Women’s race was won by Blackpool’s Paralympic 1500m silver medallist Shelly Woods in 25:27.

Report by Mark Woolley.

Leading Results:
Men
1 H Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) 27:39, 2 A Ali Zaied (Libya) 28:13, 3 S Lebid (Ukraine) 28:36, 4 F Joseph (Tanzania) 28:41, 5 J-M Martinez (Spain) 28:42, 6 C Thompson (GB) 28:45, 7 A Lemoncello (GB) 29:18; 8 P Nicholls (GB) 29:21, 9 M Lauret (Netherlands) 29:34, 10 A Brownlee (GB) 29:35, 34 T Hartley (GB) 30:36
Women
1 V Cheruiyot (Kenya) 32:01, 2 S Moreira (Portugal) 32:33, 3 J Prokopcuka (Latvia) 32:41, 4 A Kalovics (Hungary) 33:23, 5 M Sig Moller (Denmark) 33:33, 6 L Simon (Romania) 33:46, 7 R Robinson (GB) 34:13, 8 J Potter (GB) 34:14, 9 A Aguillar (Spain) 34:20, 10 C Hoyte (GB) 34:21, 11 J Doyle (GB) 34:22, 16 E Pidgeon (GB) 35:09
Wheelchairs (All GB)
Men
1 B Alldis 23:20, 2 T Patel 25:26, 3 D Lucker 26:10, 4 K Nicholson 27:10, 5 A Booth 28:35, 6 J Gill 28:36
Women
1 S Woods 25:27, 2 S Piercy 35:43

2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series – Rugby 6

Rugby, Warwickshire

Wednesday 13th May 2009

ASHLEY SABIN secured his second straight series win as defending champion Nicki Nealon began her campaign on a positive note with victory as Leicestershire athletes dominated the second race in the 2009 East Midland Road Running Grand Prix Series at the Rugby 6 mile.

Sabin, (22) representing Notts AC led home a trio of county athletes taking victory in a time of 31mins 47secs finishing ahead of Beaumont’s reigning Derby Runner Cross Country League champion Phil Chritchlow (32:27), with Steve Platts (32:33) from the OWLS just six seconds adrift over the line in third place.

In the Women’s race the eight-time and defending series champion Nicki Nealon racing in the colours of Huncote Harriers made her first appearance as the 41-year-old British Masters international comfortably out paced Nuneaton’s Eleanor Greenfield to take victory by a gap of 31 seconds in a time of 36:06, finishing just two seconds outside of her winning time in the race twelve months ago.

Full results are available on the following link:

http://mcs.open.ac.uk/mkac/09emgprugbyall.htm The next race in the 2009 East Midland Grand Prix Series is the Bedford 6 Mile on Tuesday 19th May - start time 7.45pm.

2009 Hinckley Dog & Hedgehog Half Marathon

Bosworth Water Park, Leicestershire

Sunday 10th May 2009

MARK POWELL and Diana Lobacevske completed fine individual victories leading home a field over 1,000 runners to secure the Hinckley half-marathon titles in the warm early summer conditions at the Bosworth Water Park.

Having triumphed in the sweltering conditions that affected the event twelve months ago, Mark Powell, racing in the colours of the Leicester OWLS made light work of the more favourable weather in the 2009 edition to retain his title in fine style.

The 30-year-old, preparing for his marathon debut in Edinburgh later this month, competed victory in a time of 1hr 10mins 04secs having pulled clear of the reigning Northamptonshire county cross-country champion, Coventry Godiva Harrier Matt Almond, by a margin of 27 seconds to significantly improve on his winning time of last year (1:11.09).

Powell finished well outside of his personal best of 1:08.14 set at the Experian Robin Hood Half Marathon last September, nevertheless this was another fine performance from one of the county’s leading athletes as he heads to the Scottish capital in three weeks time.

Triathlete Mark Couldwell, the reigning Leicester City Half Marathon champion, a week after leading Charnwood to the East Midlands title at the Livingston Relays, finished third in a time of 1:11.30.

In the Women’s race Diana Lobacevske representing Beaumont Running Club continued her rich vein of form as the 28-year-old Lithuanian-born athlete followed her top performance at last months Flora London Marathon where she finished as the leading women in the mass race with a new personal best of 2:38.26 by completing victory in Bosworth having won the Leicester City Marathon title back in October.

Having also won at the Ashby 20 mile event this winter, Lobacevske added the Leicestershire half-marathon title with a comprehensive solo victory clocking a time of 1:17.18 to finish ahead of a strong field led by reigning county cross-country champion Gemma Steel (Charnwood) by a significant margin of over two-and-a-half minutes over the line.

Steel, having recently set a lifetime best for the half-marathon of 1:19.02 in Sheffield, led home a trio of top masters athletes as Nicola Clay (Stilton), winner over the distance at Belvoir last month, claimed third place in 1:21.33 with British Masters internationals Nicki Nealon (Huncote) and Kate Ramsey (Barrow) filling the next two places in 1:21.44 and 1:23.08 respectively.

Report by Mark Woolley - Copyright athletics-leics.com

FULL results are available on the following link:
http://hinckleyrunningclub.com/images/phocagallery/2009/summerlrrl/hhm/resultsiss1.pdf